Assam CM Announces AFSPA Withdrawal from Dibrugarh District

GUWAHATI: In a significant development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed us on Thursday that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been lifted from the Dibrugarh district.

Announcing the decision at a press conference, Sarma stated that the decision came after requesting Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw the "disturbed area" tag from Dibrugarh.

The state government's intention to establish Dibrugarh as the second capital of Assam was a key consideration in this decision. Sarma assured that the Centre has released an official notification to withdraw the same.

"AFSPA will now apply only in the Tinsukia, Sivasagar, and Charaideo districts," Sarma said. He also pointed out the government's achievement in rolling back the law, saying, "We have been able to withdraw AFSPA from 32 districts successfully, and we hope that it will be lifted from the remaining three soon too."

AFSPA was initially extended in Assam on November 27-28, 1990, against the violent operations of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). The law was repeatedly extended every six months on the recommendation of the state government ever since. Since coming to power in 2021, CM Sarma has, however, gradually withdrawn AFSPA from Assam in a big change in the state's security strategy.

The current action marks Assam's journey towards stability and development as the government continues to strive to make the region a more peaceful and conducive place for business.

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